8 Best Crypto Exchanges in Kenya for Investors and Traders in 2025

To identify the best crypto exchanges in Kenya, we reviewed 25 platforms, and from that, we selected a list of 8 top crypto exchanges in Kenya. Our list focuses largely on CEXs, hybrid platforms and P2P-enabled exchanges. 

Our evaluation follows the CoinGape Ranking and Review Methodology, which considers factors such as fees, liquidity depth, payment options like M-Pesa, security structure, and real user metrics. Below is a detailed review of each exchange, explaining why it stands out for Kenyan traders in 2025.

Binance is the biggest crypto exchange by market cap, and Kenyan traders can access Binance in 2025. Finance stands out as one of the top low-fee crypto exchanges for Kenyan users, with fees as cheap as 0.1%. 

As a Kenyan Binance user, you can trade over 350+ cryptocurrencies, including the major names like Bitcoin and lesser-known altcoins, which is good for a diverse strategy. Binance also offers P2P support, with localized payment options such as M-Pesa.

While not officially licensed in Kenya, Binance hold several global licenses. In terms of products, Binance offers both spot, margin and futures trading. You can also access staking and copy trading features. Overall, Binance makes sense for Kenyan traders looking for a high liquidity platform in 2025.

Bybit is one of the best Binance alternatives we recommend for anyone unable to use Binance for any reason. Why? Both platforms are similar in many ways. Bybit offers deep liquidity, but we recommend Bybit for anyone who’s interested in trading high leverage and derivatives. Bybit offers as much as 200x leverage, making it one of the best leverage trading platforms for Kenyan traders. 

KuCoin, with over 40+ million users globally, is one of the best crypto exchanges in Kenya as of 2025. Why is KuCoin a good choice for Kenyan traders? KuCoin supports multiple products, including margin, futures, and P2P fiat trading. You can also access staking, and bots services. KuCoin is one of the exchanges to find new listings, especially niche altcoins.

Note: KuCoin recently announced that it had temporarily stopped USDC deposits on the XDC network.

Yellowcard recently made our list as one of the top crypto exchanges for Nigerian traders. We also rank it as a good trading platform for Kenyan traders, especially those interested in an exchange with local support. In terms of payment options, Yellowcard supports M-Pesa, P2P, and bank transfers. Yellowcard is licensed in multiple African nations, showing its adherence to compliance. Although fees on the platform are not explicitly stated, Yellowcard is really loud on stablecoins. For traders interested in cross-border payments using stablecoins, Yellowcard is a good choice. They have a partnership with Visa to promote stablecoin usage in emerging markets, according to Bloomberg. Yellowcard also offers instant deposits and withdrawals in Kenya, which is good for high-frequency traders.

Bitget is one of the best copy trading platforms for 2025. Beyond copy trading, Bitget offers spot, futures, and margin, a combination that’s good for both new and advanced traders. Bitget lists hundreds of altcoins, which is good for diversifying your portfolio. In terms of local support, Bitget supports P2P and fiat on-ramps.

It recently launched Bitget Pay in Kenya, which supports transfers with M-Pesa, bank transfer and even P2P. Fees on Bitget are competitive. Plus, you can access discounts if you trade with its native BGB token. Overall, Bitget is attractive for Kenyan traders looking to access the global market while enjoying good local payment support.

OKX offers deep liquidity, strong asset coverage and features such as automated trading. Kenyan traders can easily access OKX via P2P and fiat gateways compatible with M-Pesa and KES. OKX is also one of the most secure crypto exchanges. The platform offers both proof-of-reserve audits and transparent fee structures, making it easy to use for Kenyan traders.

Luno is one of the few exchanges on our list that’s directly tailored for the Kenyan crypto market, offering direct KES deposit via M-Pesa and bank transfer. This way, new traders can access the market via familiar payment methods. With over 50 assets supported, Luno offers a transparent fee structure, charging 0% maker fees and around 0.10% taker fees. The platform has a regulated global presence. In terms of design, Luno is pretty easy to navigate with a clean UI. Overall, we recommend new Kenyan traders to trade on Luno since it supports just enough crypto assets to get them started.

Kraken is one of the safest crypto exchanges for Kenyan traders to use in 2025. With a catalogue of over 200 assets, Kraken easily caters to the needs of both new and advanced traders, especially with products such as margin trading and futures. Kraken supports card payments and bank transfers, but most importantly, Kraken offers institutional-grade features. Kenyan traders can also access spot trading, staking and margin trading with regular audits, strong cybersecurity and cold storage.

Thanks to increased crypto awareness in Kenya and the rise of payment systems such as M-Pesa, there are multiple ways for Kenyan traders to buy and sell crypto in Kenya. From global exchanges that support card payment and bank transfers to platforms with strong P2P trading, Kenyan traders have options that cater for both experienced users and newbies. Here are some of the methods:

Method 1 – Buy Crypto with M-Pesa (Direct or P2P)

1. Choose an exchange that supports M-Pesa, such as Binance or Bitget
2. Complete registration and KYC verification
3. Head to the deposit section and select M-Pesa as your preferred payment option
4. Enter the amount in KES, and confirm. An M-Pesa payment prompt will pop up on your phone shortly
5. The crypto will arrive in your wallet once the payment is confirmed successful
6. To sell, scroll to the exchange’s sell option and select crypto, select M-Pesa as your payout, confirm, and the funds will arrive in your M-Pesa account.

Why does this method work?

P2P options are an easy way for Kenyan traders to buy or sell crypto at competitive rates while using their local KES currency. Looking for good P2P platforms, here’s a list of the best P2P exchanges in 2025. 

Method 2: Buy Bitcoin Via Debit/Credit Cards

1. Complete registration on an exchange that supports international cards, such as KuCoin, Binance or OKX
2. Link your Visa or Mastercard debit/credit card in the payment section
3. Select the crypto (eg, BTC, SOL) and enter the purchase amount
4. Confirm the purchase, and the crypto is sent to your wallet
5. Selling works similarly. Sell your asset on the platform and withdraw to your linked card or bank. Note that fees may apply when using card options.

Why does this method work?

Card payments are generally faster, although more expensive than P2P. Use card payments when you need very fast transactions.

Method 3: Use a Local Broker

1. Sign up on a broker platform like YellowCard, which supports both Kenyan bank transfers and M-Pesa
2. Complete verification procedures
3. Deposit KES into your YellowCard wallet using M-Pesa or bank transfer
4. But crypto, such as USDT, directly uses the deposited KES
5. To sell, select the crypto in your wallet, choose your payout method (bank transfer or M-Pesa) and confirm

Why does this method work?

Local brokers are a smart way for Kenyan traders to access fast, low-fee crypto transactions in KES, making it beginner-friendly. 

Kenya is one of the countries developing crypto rules to cater for the growing demand for digital assets. As of 2025, owning and trading crypto is not considered illegal in Kenya. In 2025, Kenya’s crypto stance moved from cautionary warnings to pushing for legalization via the Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASP) Act of 2025, which was enacted on November 4 2025. 

The policy requires crypto exchanges and platforms dealing with digital assets to register with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) for stablecoins or virtual assets. Meanwhile, exchange or market operators have to register with the Capital Markets Authority.

In 2026, Kenyan crypto traders must expect to see more enforcement as platforms would have to register to be legal. This means using unregistered platforms in 2026 could be risky. We also anticipate changes in crypto tax laws in 2026 for Kenyan traders.

Yes, crypto is fully active and allowed for Kenyan traders. However, the changing regulatory climate requires you to follow KYC and AML rules.

Is Binance Legal in Kenya?

Binance has yet to receive a license in Kenya, but the exchange is one of the most popular crypto exchanges in Kenya. Most traders prefer Binance for its ease of use, cheap fees, and good mobile experience. 

However, with Kenya now requiring platforms to register, traders must note that Binance has faced regulatory challenges in most jurisdictions, including African nations like Nigeria. Regardless, Binance offers one of the best P2P options for Kenyan traders.

Kenyan traders can earn money with crypto using both local and global exchanges in 2025. Whether staking, trading or using crypto for remittance, these strategies are proven.

1. Trading (Spot, Futures, P2P)

You can buy and sell crypto on exchanges like OKX, Binance and Luno. Spot trading is appealing to beginners while advanced traders can go for futures, P2P for higher profit. 

2. Bitcoin Savings and Staking Alternatives

We always cover staking on Coingape, including the best staking platforms in 2025, and that’s because staking is a smart way to earn, even for Kenyan traders. Staking rewards is a good way to earn passive income on crypto. Additionally, Kenyan traders can hold BTC, ETH or stablecoins on platforms like Binance for interest. 

3. Arbitrage Opportunities on P2P Markets

Here’s another smart strategy. Use price differences between local P2P platforms like YellowCard and Binance P2P to profit. However, this approach requires you to calmly monitor spreads and transaction fees. 

4. Earn Crypto via Crypto Jobs

Thanks to the expanding crypto ecosystem globally, there’s increased demand for the crypto workforce, and Kenyan traders can tap into it. Most crypto projects currently offer freelance services for users to receive payments in crypto. Some of the popular in-demand crypto skills include content creation, community management, software development, marketing, etc. Kenyan traders can receive their payments via platforms like Binance or YellowCard. 

Choosing the right wallet is one of the smartest ways to keep your assets safe and improve your crypto experience. Since there are different user types, selecting a wallet would depend on your trading needs and preferences:

Mobile wallets

Apps like Luno Wallet, Trust Wallet or YellowCard wallet support easy crypto access in Kenya. You can also access deposits and withdrawals with KES or M-Pesa integration.

Custodial vs Non-custodial

Custodial wallets such as Binance Wallet hold your crypto for you, making everything easy for you to access their exchange features. However, for non-custodial wallets, meaning you hold it yourself, platforms like Ledger offer better security features.

Top Wallet Options for Investors in Kenya

• Trust Wallet: best for mobile Kenyan traders seeking multiple coins and integration with global DEXs
• Binance Wallet: Best option for custodial wallets, ideal for Binance traders
• Ledger: Best non-custodial wallet, offering strong security for long-term holding
• YellowCard Wallet: Best wallet with local support for KES and the Kenyan crypto ecosystem

Whether you’re just starting out in crypto or you are an experienced Kenyan trader, there are lots of options for you for trading, saving and even remittances. For beginners, platforms like YellowCard are a low-risk way to explore the industry. They offer simple KES/M-Pesa deposits and a friendly app. 

For more advanced traders, Binance, OKX and KuCoin offer better advanced features, liquidity depth and more coin selections. Overall, prioritize safety and compliance when choosing the best crypto exchanges in Kenya. Ensure the platform is embracing Kenya’s new crypto regulations. 

Always pick a platform that matches your trading goals:

• Best for beginners: Luno, YellowCard
• Lowest fees: Binance, Bitget
• Best mobile experience: Luno, YellowCard
• Best for altcoins: Binance, Bybit, KuCoin

By choosing a platform that matches your trading style and level, you can conveniently navigate the Kenyan crypto space. 

• Central Bank of Kenya: Crypto guidelines
• Capital Markets Authority (Kenya): Investor Alerts and Crypto Notices
• Wikipedia: Cryptocurrency in Kenya
• VASP Act 2025
• Chainalysis: Crypto Adoption